Traditional Chinese Dishes Vocabulary for Classic Foods and Meals
Chinese cuisine represents one of the world's most diverse and celebrated culinary traditions, shaped by thousands of years of history and regional diversity. From the fiery heat of Sichuan peppercorns to the delicate subtlety of Cantonese dim sum, each dish tells a unique story.
Whether you're planning a trip to China, studying Mandarin, or simply want to order more confidently at your local Chinese restaurant, understanding authentic dish names opens up a richer food experience. This comprehensive guide introduces you to over 90 essential traditional Chinese dishes, complete with Mandarin names, pinyin pronunciation, and cultural context. Beyond memorizing vocabulary, learning these terms helps you appreciate the thoughtfulness behind Chinese cooking—the balance of flavors, harmony of ingredients, and symbolic meanings woven into every meal.
I. What are Traditional Chinese Dishes?
Chinese cuisine refers to a wide-ranging set of regional food traditions rooted in thousands of years of history. Each dish reflects geographical, cultural, and philosophical elements unique to China’s diverse provinces. The cuisine is traditionally divided into eight major styles such as Sichuan, Cantonese, and Shandong, each known for specific flavors, cooking methods, and ingredients.
What makes traditional Chinese dishes distinct is their deep connection to harmony, balance of flavors, and visual appeal. Ingredients are carefully selected not only for taste but also for symbolism and health benefits. Whether spicy, sweet, savory, or delicate, these dishes aim to engage all five senses.
II. Names of Traditional Chinese Dishes in Mandarin
Knowing the original Chinese names of dishes can enhance your food experience and ease communication when you’re ordering or exploring recipes. Below is a categorized list of over 90 traditional dishes with their Mandarin names and English translations.
1. Dim Sum Dishes 点心 (diǎn xīn)
Dim sum refers to small plates typically served with tea, especially in Cantonese cuisine. These bite-sized items allow you to sample multiple flavors in one meal.
|
No. |
Traditional Chinese Dishes |
Pinyin |
English Meaning |
|
1 |
包子 |
bāozi |
Steamed Bun (filled) |
|
2 |
馒头 |
mántou |
Steamed Bun (plain) |
|
3 |
花卷 |
huājuǎn |
Flower Rolls / Scallion Rolls |
|
4 |
虾饺 |
xiā jiǎo |
Shrimp Dumplings (Har Gow) |
|
5 |
小笼包 |
xiǎo lóng bāo |
Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) |
|
6 |
饺子 |
jiǎozi |
Dumplings |
|
7 |
馄饨 |
húntún |
Wonton |
|
8 |
煎饺 |
jiān jiǎo |
Pan-fried Dumplings (Potstickers) |
|
9 |
烧卖 |
shāomai |
Shumai (Siu Mai) |
|
10 |
鲜虾蒸肠粉 |
xiān xiā zhēng cháng fěn |
Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls with Shrimp |
|
11 |
叉烧包 |
chāshāo bāo |
BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao) |
|
12 |
蛋挞 |
dàntà |
Egg Tart |
|
13 |
金沙包 |
jīnshā bāo |
Golden Custard Buns (Salted Egg Yolk Bun) |
|
14 |
香滑奶皇包 |
xiāng huá nǎi huáng bāo |
Creamy Custard Buns |
Dim sum dishes showcase a refined skill in folding, steaming, and balancing textures. These are extremely popular in southern China and Hong Kong.
2. Famous Traditional Chinese Dishes 传统名菜 (chuán tǒng míng cài)
These classic dishes are staples in most Chinese households and restaurants. Each has a historical or cultural significance.
|
No. |
Traditional Chinese Dishes |
Pinyin |
English Meaning |
|
1 |
北京烤鸭 |
Běijīng kǎoyā |
Peking Roasted Duck |
|
2 |
长寿面 |
Chángshòu miàn |
Longevity Noodles |
|
3 |
四川豆腐 |
Sìchuān dòufu |
Sichuan Mapo Tofu |
|
4 |
扬州炒饭 |
Yángzhōu chǎofàn |
Yangzhou Fried Rice |
|
5 |
叫化鸡 |
jiàohuā jī |
Beggar's Chicken |
|
6 |
过桥米线 |
guò qiáo mǐxiàn |
Crossing-the-Bridge Noodles |
|
7 |
臭豆腐 |
chòu dòufu |
Stinky Tofu |
|
8 |
佛跳墙 |
Fútiàoqiáng |
Buddha Jumps Over the Wall |
|
9 |
东坡肉 |
Dōngpō ròu |
Dongpo Braised Pork |
|
10 |
四川火锅 |
Sìchuān huǒguō |
Sichuan Hotpot |
|
11 |
鸳鸯火锅 |
yuānyāng huǒguō |
Yin-Yang Hotpot (Double flavor) |
|
12 |
西湖醋鱼 |
Xīhú cù yú |
West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy |
|
13 |
香菇油菜 |
xiānggū yóucài |
Bok Choy with Shiitake Mushrooms |
|
14 |
夫妻肺片 |
fūqī fèi piàn |
Sliced Beef and Ox Tongue in Chili Sauce |
|
15 |
飞龙汤 |
fēilóng tāng |
Flying Dragon Soup (Hazel Grouse Soup) |
|
16 |
腊味合蒸 |
làwèi hé zhēng |
Steamed Assorted Cured Meats |
|
17 |
辣子鸡 |
làzǐ jī |
Chongqing Spicy Chicken |
|
18 |
东安子鸡 |
Dōng'ān zǐjī |
Dong'an Chicken |
|
19 |
清蒸武昌鱼 |
qīngzhēng wǔchāng yú |
Steamed Wuchang Fish |
|
20 |
担担面 |
Dàndàn miàn |
Dan Dan Noodles |
|
21 |
水煮鱼 |
shuǐ zhǔ yú |
Boiled Fish in Chili Oil |
|
22 |
樟茶鸭 |
zhāng chá yā |
Sichuan Smoked Tea Duck |
|
23 |
宫保鸡丁 |
gōng bǎo jī dīng |
Kung Pao Chicken |
|
24 |
松鼠鳜鱼 |
sōngshǔ guì yú |
Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish |
|
25 |
明炉烤乳猪 |
Míng lú kǎo rǔ zhū |
Roasted Suckling Pig |
|
26 |
三套鸭 |
Sān tào yā |
Triple-nested Duck |
|
27 |
清炖狮子头 |
Qīngdùn shīzi tóu |
Braised Lion's Head (Meatballs) |
|
28 |
凤尾虾 |
Fèng wěi xiā |
Phoenix-tailed Shrimp |
|
29 |
水饺 |
shuǐjiǎo |
Boiled Dumplings |
|
30 |
清蒸大闸蟹 |
Qīngzhēng dàzháxiè |
Steamed Hairy Crab |
These traditional Chinese dishes are often the top picks for people seeking to experience real Chinese flavors beyond Westernized versions.
3. Sweet Soups and Desserts 甜汤与甜点 (tián tāng yǔ tián diǎn)
Chinese sweets usually come in the form of warm soups or light, mildly sweet treats made with beans, fruits, and glutinous rice.
|
No. |
Traditional Chinese Dishes |
Pinyin |
English Meaning |
|
1 |
鸡蛋茶 |
Jīdàn chá |
Sweet Egg Soup |
|
2 |
黑芝麻糊 |
hēi zhīma hú |
Black Sesame Soup/Paste |
|
3 |
红豆沙 |
hóngdòu shā |
Red Bean Paste Soup |
|
4 |
木瓜银耳糖水 |
mùguā yín'ěr tángshuǐ |
Papaya and Snow Fungus Sweet Soup |
|
5 |
莲子百合红豆沙 |
liánzǐ bǎihé hóngdòu shā |
Red Bean Soup with Lotus Seeds and Lily Bulbs |
|
6 |
海带绿豆糖水 |
hǎidài lǜdòu tángshuǐ |
Green Bean Soup with Kelp |
|
7 |
红薯淮枣糖水 |
hóngshǔ huái zǎo tángshuǐ |
Sweet Potato Soup with Jujube |
|
8 |
榴莲紫米杏仁豆腐 |
liúlián zǐ mǐ xìngrén dòufu |
Durian Black Rice and Almond Tofu Dessert |
These desserts are often enjoyed during festivals or after a family meal. Their textures and flavors are soft, warm, and comforting.
4. Pastries and Cakes 中式糕点 (zhōng shì gāo diǎn)
Pastries in Chinese cuisine reflect the artistry of baking and layering different kinds of dough and fillings.
|
No. |
Traditional Chinese Dishes |
Pinyin |
English Meaning |
|
1 |
桂花糕 |
guìhuā gāo |
Osmanthus Cake |
|
2 |
千层糕 |
qiān céng gāo |
Layered Steamed Cake |
|
3 |
发糕 |
fāgāo |
Steamed Sponge Cake (Prosperity Cake) |
|
4 |
年糕 |
niángāo |
New Year Cake (Rice Cake) |
|
5 |
萝卜糕 |
luóbo gāo |
Turnip Cake / Radish Cake |
|
6 |
鸡蛋饼 |
jīdàn bǐng |
Egg Pancake |
|
7 |
生煎包 |
shēngjiānbāo |
Pan-fried Pork Buns |
|
8 |
馒头 |
mán·tou |
Steamed Bun |
|
9 |
肉包 ; 菜包 |
Ròubāo ; càibāo |
Meat Bun ; Vegetable Bun |
|
10 |
肉夹馍 |
ròu jiā mó |
Roujiamo (Chinese Hamburger) |
These pastries are especially common during the Mid-Autumn Festival or as gifts during special family occasions.
5. Noodle Dishes 面食 (miàn shí)
China’s noodle culture is incredibly rich, with each region offering its own textures, sauces, and serving styles.
|
No. |
Traditional Chinese Dishes |
Pinyin |
English Meaning |
|
1 |
蚝油炒面 |
háoyóu chǎomiàn |
Fried Noodles with Oyster Sauce |
|
2 |
牛肉拉面 |
niúròu lāmiàn |
Beef Hand-pulled Noodles |
|
3 |
云吞面 |
yúntūn miàn |
Wonton Noodles |
|
4 |
葱油拌面 |
cōngyóu bànmiàn |
Noodles with Scallion Oil |
|
5 |
雪菜肉丝面 |
xuěcài ròusī miàn |
Noodles with Preserved Vegetables and Shredded Pork |
|
6 |
干炒牛河粉 |
gānchǎo niú héfěn |
Stir-fried Beef Rice Noodles |
|
7 |
打卤面 |
dǎlǔ miàn |
Noodles with Thick Gravy |
|
8 |
鲜肉馄饨 |
xiānròu húntun |
Fresh Pork Wontons |
|
9 |
炸酱面 |
zhá jiàng miàn |
Zhajiangmian (Noodles with Fried Bean Sauce) |
These dishes are nutritious and filling, often enjoyed as breakfast or lunch across China.
6. Other Types of Food 其他菜式 (qí tā cài shì)
Many traditional Chinese dishes fall outside of standard categories, offering a rich mix of regional specialties and cooking techniques.
|
No. |
Traditional Chinese Dishes |
Pinyin |
English Meaning |
|
1 |
酸辣汤 |
suānlà tāng |
Hot and Sour Soup |
|
2 |
豆腐脑 |
dòufǔnǎo |
Tofu Pudding (Savory) |
|
3 |
锅贴 |
guōtiē |
Potstickers / Fried Dumplings |
|
4 |
龙井虾仁 |
lóngjǐng xiārén |
Longjing Tea Shrimp |
|
5 |
芙蓉蛋 |
fúróng dàn |
Egg Foo Young |
|
6 |
青椒玉米 |
qīngjiāo yùmǐ |
Corn with Green Peppers |
|
7 |
芹菜炒豆干 |
qíncài chǎo dòugān |
Stir-fried Celery with Smoked Tofu |
|
8 |
糖葫芦 |
táng húlu |
Tanghulu (Candied Hawthorn) |
|
9 |
皮蛋 |
pídàn |
Century Egg |
|
10 |
茶叶蛋 |
cháyè dàn |
Tea Egg |
|
11 |
红蛋 |
hóngdàn |
Red-dyed Eggs |
|
12 |
龟苓膏 |
Guīlíng gāo |
Turtle Jelly (Guilinggao) |
|
13 |
鲍鱼 |
bàoyú |
Abalone |
|
14 |
京酱肉丝 |
Jīng jiàng ròu sī |
Sautéed Shredded Pork in Sweet Bean Sauce |
These items often reflect local seasonal availability, making Chinese cuisine both practical and delicious.
III. Common Phrases for Talking About Traditional Chinese Dishes
When exploring these dishes, knowing some common Mandarin expressions can make your experience smoother. Try learning these phrases to speak more confidently:
|
No. |
Chinese Sentence |
Pinyin |
English Translation |
|
1 |
这家店的北京烤鸭真的很出名，我们一定要尝尝。 |
Zhè jiā diàn de Běijīng kǎoyā zhēn de hěn chūmíng, wǒmen yí dìng yào cháng cháng. |
This shop's Peking Duck is really famous; we must try it. |
|
2 |
四川菜的味道很独特，既麻又辣。 |
Sìchuān cài de wèi dào hěn dú tè, jì má yòu là. |
Sichuan food has a unique taste; it’s both numbing and spicy. |
|
3 |
广东菜注重原材料的鲜味，做法也很讲究。 |
Guǎngdōng cài zhù zhòng yuáncáiliào de xiān wèi, zuòfǎ yě hěn jiǎngjiù. |
Cantonese cuisine emphasizes the freshness of ingredients and the cooking methods are very refined. |
|
4 |
我们去尝尝这家粤菜馆的叉烧，我听说他们家的叉烧做得很好吃。 |
Wǒmen qù cháng cháng zhè jiā Yuècài guǎn de chāshāo, wǒ tīng shuō tāmen jiā de chāshāo zuò de hěn hǎochī. |
Let's try the Char Siu at this Cantonese restaurant; I heard theirs is delicious. |
|
5 |
今天吃什么？不如来点饺子吧，我最喜欢吃煮饺子了。 |
Jīntiān chī shénme? Bùrú lái diǎn jiǎozi ba, wǒ zuì xǐhuan chī zhǔ jiǎozi le. |
What are we eating today? How about some dumplings? I love boiled dumplings the most. |
|
6 |
你尝尝这个素菜馅的饺子，口感很不错。 |
Nǐ cháng cháng zhège sùcài xiàn de jiǎozi, kǒugǎn hěn bú cuò. |
Try this vegetable-filled dumpling; the texture is very good. |
|
7 |
这家的红烧肉做得真棒，肉质很嫩，汁水也刚刚好。 |
Zhè jiā de hóngshāo ròu zuò dé zhēn bàng, ròuzhì hěn nèn, zhīshui yě gānggāng hǎo. |
The braised pork here is great; the meat is tender and the sauce is just right. |
|
8 |
这家的小笼包做得太好吃了，皮薄馅大，汁水丰富。 |
Zhè jiā de xiǎo lóng bāo zuò de tài hǎochī le, pí bó xiàn dà, zhīshui fēngfù. |
The Xiao Long Bao here are so delicious; thin skin, plenty of filling, and very juicy. |
|
9 |
你喜欢吃什么样的豆腐菜？我个人最喜欢吃红烧豆腐。 |
Nǐ xǐhuan chī shénme yàng de dòufu cài? Wǒ ge rén zuì xǐhuan chī hóngshāo dòufu. |
What kind of tofu dishes do you like? Personally, I like braised tofu the best. |
|
10 |
这家面馆的云吞面做得真不错，汤汁浓郁，面条劲道。 |
Zhè jiā miànguǎn de yún tūn miàn zuò dé zhēn bú cuò, tāng zhī nóngyù, miàntiáo jìn dào. |
This noodle shop's wonton noodles are excellent; the broth is rich and the noodles are chewy. |
Mastering basic phrases of traditional Chinese dishes not only improves communication but also shows respect toward local culture and cuisine.
IV. Conclusion
Learning the names behind traditional Chinese dishes enriches your understanding of Chinese culture far beyond the dining table. Using correct Mandarin names when ordering shows cultural respect and often leads to more authentic dining experiences. The vocabulary and phrases you've learned here will help you engage confidently with servers and fellow food enthusiasts. Keep practicing these terms, try new dishes with confidence, and let your appreciation for Chinese food deepen with every meal. As they say in Mandarin: 慢慢吃 (màn man chī) — take your time and enjoy!
Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.
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